The recent rumored news feels like it’s ticking all the boxes for AAA games on a launch at level-pegging performance with Valve Steam Deck hype-factored in, and yet again Nintendo Switch 2 development is a big talking point. However, we have a new one from Japanese analyst Hideki Yasuda who posted his thoughts over at Minkabu.

The Rumored Nintendo Switch 2

Pointing to the recently released financial results from Nintendo, Yasuda stated that “sources indicate a planned release for early 2025 with an MSRP of $500 or less” for the New Nintendo Switch. The report mentions that the final pricing remains up in the air but if it is true, this price point could put Switch 2 right against cost-effective alternatives such as Steam Deck and more expensive offerings too like Asus ROG Ally.

For now, the Steam Deck LCD starts at a very low price of $399 — compared to an Asus ROG Ally having regular deals that regularly lower it down to $499.99. That would position the Nintendo Switch 2 extremely notably up against its top-end latest release, with a price-associated gap of $151 on Amazon more than double this cost.

That said, with a $499 price tag the Nintendo Switch 2 may not stack up well against its competition. The latest leaks indicate the Switch 2 will be able to keep up with what Steal Deck has to offer, whereas the Asus ROG Ally shows higher marks over everything except for battery life against its opponent. In the review, the Steam Deck OLED lagged behind the Asus ROG Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme by an average of 30% in gaming tasks.

Additional leaks about the Switch 2 suggest that it will be a fanless console, which would likely mean very low power consumption and excellent battery life. This feature alone could be a significant selling point, justifying a higher price for the Switch 2.